BAHA vs. CROS

Should you get a CROS or a BAHA?

You can get a BAHA when…

• You are deaf in only one ear; or
• You have a conductive hearing loss; or
• You have a mixed hearing loss.

You can get a CROS when…

• You are deaf in only one ear.

Does insurance pay for a BAHA or a CROS?

Generally, insurance pays for BAHAs, but not for CROS’s. If your insurance includes benefits for hearing aids, then CROS’s may be covered by your insurance.

What are the different types of BAHA and CROS?

There are two types BAHA:

• BAHA Connect by Cochlear or Oticon Medical’s Ponto: attached by abutment, a screw that is surgically implanted behind your ear.
• BAHA Attract by Cochlear: attached by a magnetic plate surgically implanted behind the ear

There are two types of CROS:

• CROS: for single-sided deafness
• BiCROS: for single-sided deafness and a hearing loss in the good ear

What are the complications of a BAHA or a CROS?

If you get an abutment, you could easily get an infection in that area if you don’t keep it clean. Also, if your hearing gets worse, you may also grow out of the capabilities of a BAHA, and the doctor will need to unscrew your abutment.

There are typically no complications with a CROS.

Don’t know what’s going on? You probably missed the first two blogs of this series: What is a BAHA? and What is CROS?

If you have questions about these devices or other hearing technology, please contact us by phone at 602.313.1243, or by email at scheduling@azhear.com.

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